Multiple compartment wig cases



April 9 M. A FEiNBERG ETAL 3,506,112

MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT WIG GASES Filed Sept. 26, 1968 FIG. 3

m Tn G NER w rm 2 ww F a mH T n u U I MJ wig/14374 zlldzzflllwsss ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,506,112 MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT WIG CASES Morton A. Feinberg and Judith L. Feinberg, Olivette, M0. (both of 20 St. Alfred Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63132) Filed Sept. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 762,730 Int. Cl. A45c 11/02; B65d 85/18 US. Cl. 2068 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE tainer halves. Each of the container halves includes a rigid foam head form for supporting such wigs or wiglets. Thus it is possible for the user of the cases to simultaneously carry at least two or at least four wigs or similar hairpieces in one housing.

DISCLOSURE The invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in wig containers, and more particularly, to wig containers with multiple compartments for carrying a plurality of hairpieces.

In recent years, it has become fashionable and in some cases, even a necessity for women to possess false hair- I pieces such as wigs, wiglets, falls, cascades and the like. The purchasers of these hairpieces are also constrained to purchase a carrying case for the same. These carrying cases internally include a head form for temporarily holding the hairpiece, and thus provide a relatively clean atmosphere for storing the hairpiece, as well as a convenient means for retaining the shape of the hairpiece. In fact, these hairpieces have become so popular that it is not uncommon for the traveling woman to carry or transport a number of wig containers, each containing an individual hairpiece.

Due to the bulkiness and size of these containers, transporting the same can present problems of some complexity and commercial transportation of such containers can become quite costly. Notwithstanding, the commercially available carrying cases are not very durable and are not capable of withstanding the abuses of commercial transportation. Furthermore, these commercially available devices do not provide sufiicient means for insuring a form fitting retention of the hairpiece on the head form. Some women have attempted to resort to the use of multiple compartment hat boxes, which does eliminate the need of a plurality of individual containers. However, these hat boxes suffer from the other deficiencies described such as failure to withstand abuse of commercial ship'- ment. In addition, they are not provided with the necessary implements to properly carry the hairpiece. Therefore, the use of such hat boxes has been relatively ineffective.

It is therefore, the primary object of the present inven tion to provide a multiple compartment wig container which is capable of simultaneously retaining a plurality of wigs, or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple compartment wig container of the type hoe stated which is capable of receiving additional units for holding additional hairpieces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple wig container of the type stated which is relatively right in its construction and sufficiently durable to withstand the abuse of commercial transportation.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a multiple compartment wig container of the type stated which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which can be sold at a relatively low unit cost.

With the above and other objects in view, our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts presently described and pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a multiple compartment wig case constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the case of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a pair of multiple compartment wig cases of the present invention shown in attached stacked relationship;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view showing the interior of the wig case modified to include a pair of head forms in one compartment.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Generally speaking, the present invention relates to carrying cases for wigs, wiglets and similar hairpieces. The case is somewhat oblong in horizontal cross section and is vertically divided into two individual case halves which are pivoted with respect to each other along a vertically located hinge. Each of the case halves include a unitarily formed front and back wall and end wall and a separately formed bottom wall and a top wall. Recessable handles may be located in the top wall of each halve. A suitable locking mechanism is mounted on one or both of the free vertical margins of each side wall to releasably secure each half section in a substantially rigid unit.

A plate-like insert is disposed on the bottom wall of each half section and each plate-like insert carries an upstanding pin. Removably disposed over and carried by each of the pins are head forms generally made from a substantially rigid foam material. These head forms are so positionally located in each half so that they will not interfere with each other when the two halves are closed with respect to each other. Furthermore, the head forms are sized to accommodate such hairpieces and their location in their respective halves is such that convenient access is afforded thereto.

A second case is provided for removable attachment to the bottom wall of the first case. The second case is substantially similar in all other respects to the first case. The attachment is made in such manner that the two halves of the upper case. Thus by a simple attachment procedure, it is possible for the user of the case to carry either two, four, or more head pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, A represents a wig case preferably made of thin sheet metal, compressed paperboard or cardboard, or molded plastic. Regardless of the material selected, it is constructed with such thickness that the case A is able to withstand the abuses normally subjected thereto in the course of commercial transportation. The case is generally oblong in horizontal cross section and includes two half sections 1, 2, each of which are substantially identical to each other. However, it should be recognized that the case A is not limited to this particular cross section and could be rectangular or circular in horizontal cross section. The important criteria in selection of shape is the maximum effective employment of space.

Each half section 1, 2 generally comprises a bottom wall 3, a top wall 4, relatively flat front and rear walls 5, and 6, respectively and somewhat arcuate end walls 7. The front, rear and end Wall of each section may be formed in the manufacture thereof as a unitary member, and when secured to the top and bottom walls form internal compartments 8. The halve sections 1, 2 have been illustrated herein as being formed of compressed cardboard or paperboard. However, it should also be recognized that the two half sections 1, 2 could be unitarily molded from a suitable plastic as individual units. Any number of suitable plastics could be used such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polystyrene-butadiene copolymers many of the phenolics, etc. In like manner, the components can be constructed of a light-weight metal such as a lightweight steel, aluminum, etc., and the various components can then be welded, brazed, soldered or otherwise secured.

The bottom wall 3 is integrally formed with a downwardly struck annular flange 9 which is secured to the interior surface of the front and rear walls 5, 6 and the end walls 7 through conventional lines of stitching 10. By reference to FIGURE 6 it can be seen that the bottom wall 3 of each section 1, 2 is spaced upwardly from the lower margins of the end walls and the front and rear walls '5, 6. The top walls 4 of the sections 1, 2 are also formed with an annular downwardly stnick flange 11 which is secured to the interior surface of the front rear and end walls through conventional lines of stitching 12. By reference to FIGURES 1 and 6, it can be seen that the flange 11 on the top wall 4 is slightly longer than the flange 10 on the bottom wall 3 and that the flange 11 extends upwardly above the upper margin of the front rear and end walls of the respective sections 1, 2. The upper margins of the front wall 5, the rear wall 6 and the end wall 7 of each section serve as an abutment shoulder 13.

Conventionally secured to the exterior surface of each of the top walls 3 of each section 1, 2 are swingably mounted U-shaped handles 14 which are capable of being swung upwardly to a grasping position or to a position where they lie in relatively flat facewise engagement with the top walls 3. The two half sections 1, 2 are swingable with respect to each other and are hinged along their respective abutting vertical margins by a conventional hinge 15. The wig case A, in its present form could now be provided with a decorative outer facing of the type which is suitable for wig cases. This facing (not shown) is conventionally provided in the forms of rolls of decorative paper which is adhesively secured to the outer surface of the case A.

Press fitted against or otherwise secured to the interior surface of each of the bottom walls 3 are relatively rigid plate-like inserts 16 and each carry upstanding pins 17. The inserts 16 have the overall shape and size of the bottom walls 3 and may be sized to snugly engage the interior surface of the respective front and rear walls 5, 6 and end walls 7. By means of this construction, the inserts 16 can be conveniently removed from the compartments 8, and when reinserted in the respective compartments, the inserts 16 will remain snugly in place. Polyurethane head forms 18 substantially conforming in the overall size and shape of the human head, and being centrally bored from their bottom walls are mounted on the upstanding pins 17, respectively. The pins 17 may be tapered for convenient removal of the head forms 18. By reference to FIGURE 5, it can be seen that the pins 17 and hence, the head forms 18 are located in their respective compartments 8 in order to afford sufficient room for and convenient access to the respective head forms 18 and the hairpieces disposed thereon. The head forms 18, While being substantially rigid, are sufliciently resilient to accommodate and receive conventional metal pins for holding the hairpieces on the head forms.

The head form 18 as illustrated in the left-hand section 3 of FIGURE 5 is designed to removably retain full hairpieces such as wigs and cascades. However, a bead form 19 for normal retention of smaller hair pieces such as wiglets is much smaller than the form 18 and is optionally provided. Therefore each compartment 8 is sized to optionally accommodate two head forms 19. Rigidly attached to the interior surface of the front and rear walls 5, 6 and the end wall 7 of one of the half sections, approximately midway of the vertical length thereof, are two vertically spaced rows of horizontally aligned support blocks 20. The support blocks 20 may be attached by a suitable adhesive such as an epoxy resin or in the case of molded plastics by integrally forming the same with the vertical walls.

A plate like insert 21 substantially similar to the insert 16 is snugly fitted between the vertically spaced rows of blocks 20, in the manner as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 7. The insert 21 carries an upstanding pin 22, which in turn, removably supports the smaller head form 19. In like manner, an insert 21 carrying a head form 19 would be substituted for the insert 16 supported by the bottom wall 3. It can be seen that either or both of the compartments could be provided with the support blocks 21 in order to accommodate either one large or two smaller head forms in the respective compartments. It should also be recognized that the support blocks 20 are sufliciently small so that, when not in use, they do not interfere with the single larger head form 18.

Rigidly secured to the front walls of each of the half sections 1, 2 in proximate relation to the free vertical margins thereof are a pair of substantially identical vertical locking mechanisms 23. The locking mechanisms 23 are more fully illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 and generally comprise cooperating wedge plates 24, 25 which are fastened to the respective front walls 5 by means of rivets 26. The wedge plate 25 includes a substantially fiat mounting plate 27 and an outwardly struck U-shaped channel 28. The wedge plate 24 includes a substantially -flat mounting plate 29 and an outwardly flaring bracket 30 having a wedging surface 31 angularly disposed with respect to the plate 29. It is to be noted that the bracket 30 only extends for about half of the vertical length of the mounting plate 29.

A slide buckle 32 is shiftably disposed on the wedge plates 24, 25 from an upper or unlocked position to a lower or locked position, in the manner as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The slide buckle 32 generally comprises a tapered flat wall 33 having a U-shaped end wall 34 and an integrally formed inwardly struck flange 35 which is movable in the channel 28. At its opposite transverse end, the flat wall 33 integrally merges into an enlarged wedging block 36 having a tapered wall which matches and is in engagement with the wedging wall 31.

Thus, it can be seen that when the slide buckle 32 is shifted upwardly it is removed from engagement with the wedge plate 24 enabling the two halve sections 1, 2 to open. The flange 35 movable in the groove 28 enables the shifting movement of the slide buckle 33 with respect to the wedge plates 24, 25. When shifted to the lower position, the wedging block 36 will engage the wedging wall 31 and urge the two wedge plates 24, 25 toward each other in locking engagement, thereby holding the two half sections 1, 2, in locked engagement.

The above described locking mechanisms 23 have been found to be very effective with wig cases of the type described herein, since they are aesthetically attractive, very convenient to operate, and most importantly, provide a positive locking action. However, it should be recognized that other types of conventional locking mechanisms such as a conventional snap lock could be used as well.

As indicated each individual wig case A is capable of holding a pair of large hairpieces and at least a larger number of small hairpieces. It should be observed that by making the case circular in horizontal cross section and of sufficient diameter, it is possible to locate at least three or four or more head forms for large hair pieces in one wig case A. Furthermore, it should be observed that each wig case is designed to aiford easy access to the head forms located in the respective compartments 8. In addition, the design affords simple removal of the inserts 16 and 21 and the head forms 18 and 19, respectively, carried thereon.

Each of the wig cases A are uniquely designed for rigid, but nevertheless removable attachment to a substantially identical wig case, in the manner as illustrated in FIGURES and 6. For this purpose each wig case A is provided on the interior surface of the annular flange 9 with at least 2 circumferentially spaced hooks 37. Each of the hooks 37 are preferably formed of a rigid but somewhat resilient plastic material such as polystyrene and may be secured to the flange 9 through the line of stitching 10. Alternatively, the hooks 37 may be adhesively secured to the interior surface of the flange 9. Each of the hooks 37 include a mounting plate 38 and an integrally formed radially inwardly struck arm terminating in an enlarged head 39.

The flange 11 on the top wall 4 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 40 sized and located to accommodate the respective hooks 37. The apertures 40are slightly diametrally smaller than the heads 39 on the hooks 37. However, the heads 39 are sufficiently resilient so that they can be pressed through the apertures 40. In

this manner it is possible to effect a substantially secure attachment of two or more vertically disposed, marginally registered wig cases. The two wig cases which are attached in the manner as illustrated in FIGURE 5 can be easily separated by opening the two cases and forcing the heads 39 outwardly of the apertures 40. It is to be noted that when in the attached condition the two sections 1, 2 of each of the two cases A will simultaneously open and close and will coact to operate as a single unit.

The wig transporting system of the present invention is unique in that it is possible to removably attach two or more wig cases, where each of the cases are of identical construction. Consequently, if one of-the cases should become damaged, it is only necessary for the user to acquire one more unit.

The wig cases A are also capable of being rapidly produced on a mass production basis. If the case is made of paperboard, the outer housing including the end walls 7 and the front and rear walls 6 can be made as a unitary member, divided into two sections. The top and bottom walls 3, 4 can be formed as unitary members and stitched to the two sections 1, 2. The two sections 1, 2 would then be hinged together by fastening the hinges 15. The handles 14 would alsobe attached by rivets or similar fastening means. Thereafter, the exterior surface of the housing would be covered With a suitable facing material. The two locking mechanisms 23 and the hooks 37 would then be attached, followed by a proper drilling of the apertures 40 in the flange -11.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts presently described may be made and substituted for those herein shown without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple compartment container for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said container comprising a plurality of container sections, each of said container sections having relatively flat front and rear walls, a somewhat arcuate end Wall and a bottom wall forming an interior portion in each of said container sections, hinge means operatively attached to opposed margins of the rear walls of each of said container section enabling said container sections to be closable and openable with respect to each other thereby providing access to the interior portions of each of said container sections, first removable insert means operatively disposed on the bottom Wall of each said container section, a first hairpiece retaining head form carried by said first insert means and being located in the interior portion of each said container section for removably retaining hairpieces, supportive means on at least one of the front, rear or end walls of each said container section for removably retaining a second insert means spaced upwardly from said first insert means, a second hairpiece retaining head form on each of said second insert means for removably retaining hairpieces, a pair of wedge plates secured to abutting margins of the front walls of each of said container sections, a slide buckle movable on said wedge plates for urging said wedge plates together and thereby holding said container sections in locked condition. One of said wedge plates having a groove, a flange attached to said buckle and being slidable in said groove, a wedging member on said slide buckle, a wedging surface on the other of said wedge plates and engaging said wedging member, a plurality of hooks proximate the lower end of each said container section, a plurality of apertures proximate the upper end of each said container section for receiving hooks of another container so that two of said containers may be secured in vertical registration for transporting same, and an upwardly presented abutment shoulder formed on said front and rear walls for operatively supporting a similar container being marginally registered with respect thereto and 'being disposed thereon.

2. A multiple compartment container for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said container comprising a plurality of mating container sections, each of said container sections having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, a top wall and one transverse end wall element forming an interior portion in each of said container sections, each of said container sections having oppositely presented transversely located open faces, a pair of opposed margins on the rear walls of said container section, hinge means connecting said opposed margins of each of said container sections so that said container sections can pivot in a vertical plane with respect to each other to an open position providing access to said interior portions and to a closed position where said transversely located open faces are in abutting position, a hairpiece retaining head form located in said interior portion of each container section and being operatively supported by said bottom wall of said sections for removably retaining said hairpieces during storage and transporting same, and securement means on each of said container sections for holding said container sections in a closed condition.

3. The multiple compartment container of claim 2 further characterized in that said container is oblong in horizontal cross section and where said side Wall comprises relatively flat front and rear Walls and somewhat arcuate end walls.

4. The multiple compartment container of claim 2 further characterized in that a removable insert is operatively disposed on said bottom wall of each container section and wherein each insert carries a hairpiece retaining head form.

5. The multiple compartment container of claim 2 further characterized in that said side wall has an upwardly presented abutment shoulder for operatively supporting a similar container being marginally registered with respect thereto and disposed thereon.

6. The multiple compartment container of claim 2 further characterized in that said container is provided with attachment means for removal securement to a like container.

7. A multiple compartment container for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said container comprising a plurality of mating container sections, each of said container sections having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, a top wall and one transverse end wall element forming an interior portion in each of said container sections, each of said container sections having oppositely presented transversely located open faces, a pair of opposed margins on the rear walls of said container section, hinge means connecting said opposed margins of each of said container sections so that said container sections can pivot in a vertical plane with respect to each other to an open position providing access to said interior portions and to a closed position where said transversely located open faces are in abutting position, a hairpiece retaining head form located in said interior portion of each container section and being operatively supported by said bottom wall of said section for removably retaining said hair pieces during storage and transporting same, securement means on each of said container sections for holding said container sections in a closed condition, a plurality of hooks proximate the lower end of said container, a plurality of apertures proximate the upper end of said container for receiving hooks of another container, and an upwardly presented abutment shoulder located on said side wall for operatively supporting a similar container being marginally registered with respect thereto and being disposed thereon.

8. A multiple compartment container for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said container comprising a plurality of mating container sections, each of said container sections having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom Wall, a top wall and one transverse end wall element forming an interior portion in each of said container sections, each of said container sections having oppositely presented transversely located open faces, a pair of opposed margins on the rear walls of said container section, hinge means connecting said opposed margins of each of said container sections so that said container sections can pivot in a vertical plane with respect to each other to an open position providing access to said interior portions and to a closed position where said transversely located open faces are in abutting position, first removable insert means operatively disposed on the bottom wall of each said container sections, a first hairpiece retaining head form carried by said first insert means and being located in the interior portion of each said container section for removably retaining hairpieces, supportive means on the side wall of each said container section for removably retaining a second insert means spaced upwardly from said first insert means, and a second hairpiece retaining head form on each of said second insert means for removably retaining hairpieces.

9'. A multiple compartment container for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said container comprising a plurality of mating container sections, each of said container sections having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom Wall, a top wall and one transverse end wall element formng an interior portion in each of said container sections, each of said container sections having oppositely presented transversely located open faces, a pair of opposed margins on the rear walls of said container section, hinge means connecting said opposed margins of each of said container sections so that said container sections can pivot in a vertical plane with respect to each other to an open position providing access to said interior portions and to a closed position where said transversely located open faces are in abutting position, a hairpiece retaining form located in said interior position of each container section and being operatively supported by said bottom wall of said sections for removably retaining hairpieces, a pair of wedge plates secured to abutting margins of each of said container sections, and a slide buckle movable on said Wedge plates for urging said wedge plates together and thereby holding said container sections in locked condition.

10. The multiple compartment container of claim 9 further characterized in that one of said wedge plates has a groove and said buckle has a flange slidable in said groove and the other of said wedge plates has a wedging surface which engages a wedging member on said slide buckle.

11. A system for carrying and transporting hairpieces, said system comprising a plurality of similar containers, each of said containers comprising an outer housing having a plurality of container sections, each of said container sections including a top wall and a side wall and a bottom Wall forming an interior portion in each of said container sections, each of said container sections having transversely located oppositely presented open faces, each of said container sections being hingedly connected at one edge of each of said sections so that said container sections can pivot in a vertical plane with respect to each other to an open position providing access to said interior portions or to a closed position where said transversely located open faces are in abutting position, at least one hairpiece retaining member disposed in the internal portion of each of said container sections of each of said housings, securement means fixedly located on and proximate the lower end of one of said housings, and cooperating securement means fixedly located on and proximate the upper end of a second housing so that the first of said outer housings may be removably attached to the said second housing for carrying and transporting said containers as a unitary member.

12. The system of claim 11 further characterized in that securement means is located proximate the lower end of each of said housings and cooperating securement means is located proximate the upper end of each of said housings.

13. The system of claim 11 further characterized in that said securement means comprises a plurality of spaced hooks proximate the lower end of one of said housings and the cooperating securement means comprises a plurality of spaced apertures proximate the upper end of the other of said housings, and where said apertures are sized and spaced to accommodate each of said hooks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 639,050 12/ 1899 Hurdel 206--8 982,538 1/1911 Senge 21ll26 1,771,705 7/1930 Cavanagh 206-7 2,588,957 3/1952 Brown 3l2-244 3,289,823 12/1966 Weiser et al 206-8 3,310,162 3/1967 Bayer 206-8 WILLIAM T. DlXSON, 1a., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

